Privacy Statement for the Microsoft® Customer Experience Improvement Program

Updated: February 1, 2009

Microsoft is committed to helping protect your privacy. This privacy statement explains the data collection and use practices for the Microsoft Customer Experience Improvement Program (CEIP) reports that will be sent to Microsoft if you participate in the program. This statement does not apply to other online or offline Microsoft sites, products, or services.

Collection and Use of Information

When you participate, we collect basic information about how you use your programs, your computer or device, and connected devices. We also collect information about how each is set up and performing. These reports are sent to Microsoft to help improve the features our customers use most often and to create solutions to common problems.

You can choose to participate in the Customer Experience Improvement Program usually when you first install a Microsoft product. To change your participation later, click the Help menu in most Microsoft programs, and then click Customer Feedback Options. (For some products, you might need to check the settings or options menus.)

CEIP reports generally include information about:

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Configuration, such as how many processors are in your computer, how many network connections you use, the operating system that your computer is currently running, screen resolutions for display devices, the strength of the wireless signal between your computer and a media player device, and if some features such as Bluetooth wireless technology or high-speed USB connections are turned on.

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Performance and reliability, such as how quickly a program responds when you click a button, how many problems you experience with a program or a device, and how quickly information is sent or received over a network connection.

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Program use, such as the features that you use the most often, how frequently you launch programs, and how many folders you typically create on your desktop.

Internet-enabled features in software will send information about your computer (standard computer information) to the websites you visit and web services you use. This information is generally not personally identifiable. Standard computer information typically includes certain information about your computer software and hardware, such as your IP address, operating system version, web browser version, your hardware ID (which indicates the device manufacturer, device name, and version), and your regional and language settings. Although when each CEIP report is sent to Microsoft, standard computer information is sent as well, Microsoft does not store your IP address with your CEIP reports.

CEIP generates a globally unique identifier (GUID) that is stored on your computer to uniquely identify it. The GUID is a randomly generated number; it does not contain any personal information and is not used to identify you. CEIP uses the GUID to determine how widespread the feedback is and how to prioritize it. For example, the GUID allows Microsoft to distinguish between one customer experiencing a problem one hundred times and other customers experiencing the same problem once. The GUID is stored on your computer and sent with every CEIP report. CEIP reports do not intentionally contain any contact information about you (such as your name, address, or phone number). However, some reports might unintentionally contain individual identifiers (other than the GUID), such as a serial number for a device that is connected to your computer. Microsoft filters the information contained in CEIP reports to try to remove any individual identifiers that they might contain.

Microsoft uses CEIP information to improve our software. We may share CEIP information with partners, but the information cannot be used to identify you.

Information that is collected by or sent to Microsoft may be stored and processed in the United States or any other country in which Microsoft or its affiliates, subsidiaries, or agents maintain facilities. Microsoft may disclose this information if required to do so by law or in the good faith belief that such action is necessary to: (a) conform to the edicts of the law or comply with legal process served on Microsoft or the site; (b) protect and defend the rights or property of Microsoft and its family of websites, or (c) act in urgent circumstances to protect the personal safety of Microsoft employees, users of Microsoft software or services, or members of the public. Microsoft occasionally hires other companies to provide limited services on its behalf, such as providing customer support, processing transactions, or performing statistical analysis of reports. Microsoft will provide those companies only the information they need to deliver the service. They are required to maintain the confidentiality of this information and are prohibited from using it for any other purpose.

Security

Microsoft is committed to helping protect the security of the information we collect. CEIP uses a variety of security technologies and procedures to help protect reports from unauthorized access, use, or disclosure. For example, we store the information you provide on computer systems with limited access, which are located in controlled facilities.

Changes to this Statement

Microsoft may occasionally update this privacy statement. When we do, we will also revise the "last updated" date at the top of the privacy statement. We encourage you to periodically review this privacy statement to stay informed about how we are helping to protect the information we collect.

For More Information

Microsoft welcomes your comments regarding this privacy statement. If you believe that Microsoft has not adhered to this statement, please contact us by e-mail or postal mail, and we will use commercially reasonable efforts to promptly determine and remedy the problem.

CEIP Privacy
Microsoft Corporation
One Microsoft Way
Redmond, Washington 98052
Send e-mail to askceip@microsoft.com.
To find contact details for the Microsoft subsidiary or affiliate in your country or region, see www.microsoft.com/worldwide.